Cruise extras – are they worth it?

Specialty restaurants

Many mainstream and premium cruise lines now have onboard “alternative restaurants,” which offer specialty menus with prices ranging from $10 to $45 per person. Sure, the food is interesting, but is it any better than what’s served in the ship’s dining room for free? It depends on your taste and what the cruise line is offering. For example, Norwegian Cruise Line’s “Freestyle Cruising” plan offers a variety of excellent alternative dining choices, including unlimited sushi at a reasonable cost ($5-$10). For me, that’s a no-brainer.

Insider Tip: If you want to dine in the specialty restaurants, be sure to book reservations soon after you board — they go quickly.

Internet access
Most ships have Internet access, but they often charge an outrageous per-minute fee. Some cruise lines offer package deals for a fixed fee, usually around $100 for 250 minutes of Internet access. You can save a lot of money by visiting an Internet facility in port. Ask a crew member where to find an Internet cafe on shore, or check out the local public library, where you can sometimes check your e-mail for free. You can see the shipboard rates for Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line and Holland America Line at the Digital Seas Web site.

Insider Tip: Unless you’re trying to keep in touch back home (or you want to read Tripso every day), stay away from the Internet altogether. Remember, you’re on vacation. As for this column — just print it out!

Gambling
Shipboard casinos are getting bigger and bigger, which means that more and more money is being lost at sea. If you decide to roll the dice, set a limit on how much you are willing to risk, then leave as soon as you lose it.

Insider Tip: You have a better chance of “getting the big one” on a fishing trip than you do in ship’s casino, and you know how many of those get away.

Spa services
While pampering should be part of every cruise vacation, frequenting the ship’s spa can be costly. A massage can range anywhere from $80 to $180 per hour — not to mention the 18 percent tip. Moreover, the staffs of most shipboard spas work on commission and will often give you a sales pitch for their products after your treatments. Unless you really like the products, don’t feel compelled to purchase them.

Insider Tips: Look for discounted spa specials that are offered at certain times on the cruise, usually when the ship is in port. Many shipboard spas feature products by Steiner Leisure. If you like them, check out the prices on timetospa; you can often get a better deal there than on the ship. Be sure to sign up for their newsletter offering online discounts (it’s free).

Staying shipshape
“Feel the burn” … in your wallet. Yes, pumping up with the ship’s fitness guru costs money. Kickboxing, yoga, Pilates and Spinning classes on board some ships will run $10 a class.

Insider Tip: Who needs a guru? Bring an iPod or Walkman with your favorite workout playlist and use the free exercise equipment.

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